Theater illumination device



25, 1931- G. H. CUSHING 1,820,599

THEATER ILLUMINATION DEVICE F'iled June' 15. 1929 i to Patented Aug. 25, "1931 PATENT OFFICE enonen H. GUSHIYNG, or wasnnveron; DISTRICT or COLUMBIA THEATER ILLUMINATION DEVICE Application filed June 15,

This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 752,214, filed November 25,1924.

This invention relates in general to illumi- "151 nation, and more particularly has reference to an illuminating structure especially adapted for projecting light byv means of indirect reflection into spaces between roWsof seats in theaters, auditoriums, and similar build- '1() ings, and for providing illumination in Various locations.

It often happens that persons in the audience of a theater Wish to leave while the performance is going on, and, in theaters hav- 161 ing continuous performances, patrons often enter the theater and seek seats While the entertainment is in progress. During the performance the ceiling and wall lights of theaters are extinguishedor dimmed to such an extent that it is impossible for a person to see anything in the spaces between the rows of seats. This condition is unpleasant in that persons passing between the rows of seats to get to a particular seat may, due to the poor illumination, injure or otherwise inconvenience persons already in their seats. In addition to the above, there are many other disadvantages encountered in theaters in which no illumination is provided between rows of seats. j I

A major object of this invention is to provide an illuminating device particularly adapted for use in theaters to eliminate the disadvantages pointed out'above.

Another object of this invention'is to provide an illuminating device adapted to be associated with the back or end portions of a theater seat to illuminate the space between the same and the seat in the rear thereof, or the aisles or portions of the theater. i

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lamp structure adapted to illuminate a determined area without projecting any light rays in any other direction.

A further object of this invention is toprovide lamps adapted to be arranged. at spaced intervals on the backs of rows of seats in theaters and similarbuildings, and which are so constructed thatlight projected therefrom will be directed downwardly in such a 1929. Serial N0.'371,261.

manner that no glare or other efiect of the illumination will be apparent to persons sitting in the row of seats in the rear. thereof. 7 A still further object of this invention is to provide a lamp employing the'p'rinciples of 5 secondary reflection, in which light from a source is directed by a primary reflector onto a secondary reflector which controls the light so as to spread it only over the area to be illuminated.

With these and other objects'in view which may be incident to my improvements,the invention consists in the parts'and combinations to be hereinafter set forthand claimed, with the understanding that the several 5 necessary elements comprising my invention, 7 may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing. from the spirit and scope of the appended. claims.

In accordance with the present invention, "m

bodying a primary reflector of the parabolic type enclosed by a suitable casing;

A light source is positioned in the reflector in such a manner that raystherefrom aref'8 0 projected upwardly. .The upwardly projected rays impinge on a secondary reflector positioned above the light source. This reflector is so constructed .as to -proiect light downwardly'from each side of the lamp and 8b is encased in a suitable housing adapted to be secured toa supporting member.

. In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shownin the accompanying drawings means for carryingthe same into practicalelfect withoutlimitingthe im provements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which for the purpose of explanation have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

'Figure 1 is an elevation showing a lamp construction in accordance with thepresent se at.

type, or a type similar to the paraboli Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the illuminating structure showing the arrangement of the reflecting surface.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4P of Figure 2, showing the plated construction of the reflecting surfaces.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout, there is shown a portion of a row of theater seats 1 separated by arm rests 2. Secured to the back of certain seats is an illuminating device 3, which is adapted to project light within the spaces bet. een adjacent rows of seats. The preferred embodiment of this invention, as shown in the drawings, is in the form of a lamp employing secondary reflection. An upper housing or casing 4, constructed in any desired manner, is secured to the back portion of a theater seat 1 by attaching bolts 5 and nuts 6, or other suitable means. The seat to which the lamp 3is attached is shown to be of the upholstered type having resilient cushioning material 7 covered with leather or other material 8, but

I wish it to be clearly understood that the structure to be hereinafter described may he applied to theater seats of all types, and to various other structures when used for other purposes;

Casing 4 is provided with openings 9 in the ends thereof, through which light is projected. Openings 9 may be fitted with lenses 12, which may be either plain or formed so as to control the light passing therethrough. The lower portion of the casing is provided with a depending flange 10, the edge of which is bent inwardly to form a flange 11.

As shown in the drawings, the opening defined by the flange 10 is circular, but it may be of any other shape, depending on the particular type of construction employed.

A depending casing 13 is detachably connected with the upper casing l. Casing 13,

as shown in the drawings, is in the form of a cylindrical member having a closed bottom portion 14;. If desired, the casing may be of any other desired shape. The upper edge portion of the casing 18 is shaped so as to form a shoulder 15, and a cylindrical flange 16. Flange 16 is adapted to engage with flange 1 0 of the upper casing i and be secured thereto by any suitable means, such as r: 'ets, bolts, threads, etc., to retain the Paper and lower casing in assembled relation.

A reflector 17, preferably of'the p abolic c type, is located in the depending casing 13. The particular shape of reflector 17 w depend upon the manner in which l r be reflected. This reflector is provided with 'aperipheral flange 18 adapted to be received between flange 11 and shoulder 15, to retain the reflector in fixed relation with respect to the casing structures l and 13.

Reflector 17 is provided with a central opening in which is secured a socket 19 adapted to receive the base of an electric light bulb 20 and a plug 21 connected by conduit 22 with a suitable source of electrical energy. llulb 20 may he of any style or type. It ha, been found, however, that better control of the l ght can be effected when the light source in the form of a small and compact filament, adapted to low electric voltage. Also, bulbs having an elongated glass enclosure have been found to be advantageous. Light from the filament of bulb 20 will impinge on the reflecting surface of reflector 17 and will be projected in a direction depending upon the shape of the reflector.

Light from reflector 17 is projected upwardly onto a reflector 23 positioned in the. upper portion of casing l. Reflector 23 has reflecting surface, formed of a series of flat planes blended at their i.ntersections,but each so pitched with respect to the horizontal as to project light only in prescribed direction., As shown in the drawings, a cross section through the secondary reflector appears similar to a curve corresponding to a semi-cubic parabola of the general formula y ==w As in the case of the primary reflector, the particular shape of this reflector depends upon the light distribution to be effected.

Retaining members 2 f serve to position reflectors 23 and lenses 12 in their respective positions. r100 Reflectors 17 and 3 may have reflecting surfaces formed of a base metal, such as brass, which is plated with a light reflecting metal. In some instances it may be found desirable to have the reflectors formed of a base metal; on which is plated a plurality of metals. Various combinations of plating metals provide reflecting surfaces which advantageously modify the characteristicsof light reflects l therefrom. Figure 4 shows a section of a reflector, in which the base metal is indicated by reference numeral 25.

Plated on the base metal. is a layer of gold 26, and superimposed on the gold is a layer of silver 27. It has been found that the reflection characteristics of'reflectors plated described are better than in the case of reflectors plated solely with a lustrous metal, such as silver. Reflectors constructed as de scrioed are also instrumental in affecting the light reflected therefrom to make it similar to daylight.

While for purposes of illustration, the reflectors are shown to be of the metallic type, I wish it to be clearly understood that they may be formed of or other similar ma terial backed with light reflecting material.

In the construction hereinbefore described, the conduit 22 may be concealed in the back of the seat to which tl e lamp 3 is attached, as

is shown in Figure 8. In this instance cas ing 13 is provided with an aperture, in which is fitted an insulating bushing 28, secured in place by nut 29. An insulating sleeve may be arranged in an aperture in the back 01 the seat as shown.

The lamps described may be arranged on the backs of the seats at spaced intervals to provide proper illumination, thus avoiding the inconveniences hereinbefore pointed out. Light from these lamps will also be available for reading programs while the theater is darkened. Lamps constructed in accordance with the present invention are particularly desirable for the described purposes, since the light therefrom is soft, approaching that of natural daylight, and under no circumstances can a person in the vicinity of the lamp observe any glare, such as would affect the eyes of the audience.

The illuminating structure herein described being especially adapted for projecting a small quantity of light over designated areas may be advantageously employed for purposes other than illuminating spaces be tween. rows of theater seats. Devices similar to those herein described may be used for projecting light over portions of a room from wall brackets, along the running boards of automobiles, forward of an automobile a dimmer or parking light, and rearward a tail light, and into any space where one light source 1s used and light therefrom 1s cast 1n two or more directlons.

It will be appreciated that the structure installation in which the lampis employed.

IVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes; and variations may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a theater seat, a lamp adapted to be secured to the back there-. of, said lamp comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion depend ing therefrom, a light source positioned in the lower portion of the housing, a primary parabolic reflector positioned around the light source and adapted to project light from the source upwardly, a secondary re flector positioned in the upper portion of said housing above the light source, said secondary reflector adaptedto project light falling thereon through openings in opposite ends of the upper portion of said housing,

said openings lying in planes. angularly inclined with respect to each other.

2. A theater lamp comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower depend ingportion, the housing of said lamp adapted to be mounted upon the back of a theater seat, a light source in the lower portion of said housing, a parabolic reflector surround ing said light source and adapted to project light from said source upwardly, a multidirectional reflector having twoparabolic refleeting surfaces positioned above said light source so as to receive rays reflected from said primary reflector, said multi-directional reflector being adapted to project light falling thereon though 'an opening in each end of the upper portion of said housing, said openings being positioned opposite to each other and in inclined planes forming equal angles with the vertical.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. 

